Driving-gear for motor-cycles.



No. 7|3,467. Patented Nov. Il, |902.

D. MACDONALD.

DRIVING GEAR FR MOTOR CYCLES.

(Application filed June 2B, 1902.) (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

No. 7|3,467. Pateted Nov. Il, |902.

D. MACDONALD.

DRIVING GEAR FOR MOTOR CYCLES.

(Application filed June 28, 1902.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 7I3,467. A Patented Nov. ll, |902. D. MACDQNALD.

DRIVING GEAR FDR MOTOR CYCLES.

(Application led June 28, 1902.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DONALD MACDONALD, OF ORROROO, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

DRlViNG-G EAR FOR MOTOR-CYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,467, dated November 11, 1902.

I Application filed June 28, 1902. Serial No. 4113,662. {No model.)

To a/ZZ whom zit' may concern.-

Be it known that I, DONALD MACDONALD, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Orroroo, in the State Aof South Australia, in the Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving-Gear for Motor-Cycles; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters and figures of reference vmarked thereon, which form a part of this speciiication.

My invention has relation to automobile ve-.

hicles, and more particularly to automobile or so-called autocycles; and it has forits essential objects, first, to provide a motor-operated driving mechanism and a pedal-operated driving mechanism not in driving relation with said motor-operated driving mechanism in combination with a transmitter common to both driving mechanisms, said transmitter in driving relation with the driven axle of the cycle; second, the provision of differential pedaloperated mechanisms and means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the pedal-operated element in combination with motoroperated driving mechanism or dierential driving mechanisms and means for connecting said mechanism or mechanisms to 0r disconnecting same from the motor; third, in making the pedalshaft the carrier for the motor-operated and pedal-operated driving mechanisms and providing a transmitter in the form of a cylindrical casing, also carried bythe pedal-shaft and containing said driving mechanisms. These objects I attain by means of mechanisms and combinations of mechanisms, substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and as hereinafter fully described, and specifically set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figures l, 2, and 3 are side elevations illustrating various arrangements of the driving appliances. Fig. s is a cross-section of said appliances, means for actuating the clutch S being omitted and shown in separate views. Fig. 5 is an outer face view of the sleeve to which the autodriven cycle-driving Wheel is secured. Fig. 6 is a face view cf said wheel, the confiningring being removed. Fig. 7 is a section of said wheel on line a: x of Fig. 6, and Fig. Sis a cross-section on line y y of Fig. 4.. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of the clutch S and its arrangement relatively to the crown-wheel R, and Figs. l0 and ll are opposite face Views of the clutch-ring.

In said Figs. l, 2, and 3, A indicates the framework of the cycle, which, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, may be of usual construction, or it may be constructed, as shown in Fig. 1, with the riders seat immediately above the rear or driving wheel W and with means, as at a', Fig. l, for receiving or supporting an electric battery or an oil-tank, according to the character of the motor B used,which may be of any desired well-known construction, B indicating the driving-wheel, which may be a belt or sprocket wheel, according as it is to be geared to the driven cycle-driving wheel C by belt or chain B2, and in the drawings I have shown these wheels as sprocket-wheels.

A casing D, which performs the function of a power-transmitting wheel for transmitting the power of the auto-driven and pedaldriving mechanisms to the machine, may also perform the function of wheel-hub for the rear or driving wheel W of the machine, as shown in Figs. l and 3, its axial spindle E then becoming the wheel-spindle, or said casing D, hereinafter referred to as the transmitter, may be arranged on thecenterbracket A', with its spindle E revoluble in suitable bearings, as shown in Fig. 2, in which case the lower frame-bars A2 A3 are bifurcated to provide the required space.

For propelling the machine by foot-power the pedals P may be secured to the spindle E of the transmitter D, as shown in Figs. l and 2, or they may be secured t0 a spindle S, mounted in the center bracket A and geared to,said spindle E by chain-and-sprocket gearing E E2 e, as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to 8, C indicates the auto-d riven-cycle driving-Wheel, made, as

shown in Figs. 6 and 7, in two parts-namely,

a sprocket-ring c, having an inwardly-projecting annular ange c' and internal radial ball-bearings CS for balls and a wheel c2, on which the sprocket-ring cis mounted, and

provided with peripheral lugs C9, that project into spaces formed between the ballbearings C8, and in some or all of said spaces between the lugs C9 and ball-bearings C8, in advance of the latter, are arranged springbuffers H or rubber buffers J. The flange c on one side of sprocket-ring c overlaps the rim of the wheel c2 to hold it against lateral displacement, and to the opposite side of said sprocket-ring c or to the internal wheel c2 is secured a confining-ring c3, as shown in Fig. 6.

It will be readily seen that on starting the motor the rotation of the sprocket-ring c will be antagonized by the buffers H or J, thus gradually starting the rotation of the wheel until compresssion ceases, when the internal wheel will rotate with sprocket-ring c and transmit the power to the driving-gear.

The wheel C is rigidly secured to a sleeve C, mounted to revolve on ball-bearings about the sleeve F of a crown-wheel F, said sleeve F' being rigidly secured in any desired manner to the cycle-frame, and E is the axial spindle revolving on ball-bearings in sleeve F and in suitable frame-bearings b. Said wheel C has the form of a double crank in cross-section, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, and has two or more apertures in the crank portion thereof for the passage therethrough of coupling studs or pins s2, projecting from an inner flange s of a coupling-sleeve s, loosely mounted on driving-wheel sleeve C. The sleeve s has also an outer flange s3, which is straddled by the iianges of an actuating-ring r, U-shaped in cross-section, which is slidable longitudinally of the sleeve C in a casing or dust-cap d, screwed or otherwise secured to crown-wheel sleeve F'. Springs s4 in cap d have bearing on the actuating-ring 7*, and under the stress of said springs the coupling studs or pins .S2 are coupled to Wheel C and to a large gear-wheel w, loose on sleeve C', which, like wheel C, has apertures for the passage of said studs.

To the actuating-ring r are secured at different points cords or wires e, passing through holes of the dust-cap d and being connected into a single cord or wire outside of said cap and carried over pulleys on the cycle-frame and may be or are secured to a hand-lever fulcrumed ou said frame at a point in reach of the rider, so that on pulling said cord or wire the actuating-ring is moved outwardly, and therewith the coupling-sleeve s, to withdraw the studs s2 from gear w, means being provided to lock the lever so that the springs s4 cannot move the coupling-sleeve s into coupling position. Any other suitable means may, however, be provided for operating this coupling device.

The sleeve O has an inner flange c5 and a hub or enlarged portion c6, Fig. 5, having notches C4, with inclined faces and abrupt shoulders cut in its periphery for the reception of rollers C5, having bearing on springpins C, which form an elastic abutment for said rollers at the abrupt shoulder of the 'ria-16"?" notches. On this notched hub is mounted an annular gear or externally-toothed ring fw, the notched hub and rollers serving as a means to couple the gear w to sleeve C' when said sleeve is driving and to allow said gear w to rotate freely when the cycle is driven at high speed, as hereinafter explained. The gear w' is held in place on notched hub c by flange c5 on said sleeve C' and by the large gear w, hereinbefore described, and loose on sleeve C', and said loose gear w is held in place by the cranked portion of driving-wheel C, as shown in Fig. 4. The large gear w meshes with small planet-wheels GX, and the gear w' with larger planet-wheels G, whose spindles G are secured in the end of the transmitter D, while the planet-wheels G gear with an internal gear F2 of crown-wheel F, said crownwheel having a second internal gear F3 for purposes presently explained.

It is obvious that when the driving-wheel C is rotated to drive and gearw is uncoupled from said wheel by the retraction of couplingsleeve s said gear w will revolve idly, while the ring-gear w will be locked to sleeve C by the rollers wedging in the small ends of the notches C4, thereby driving the larger planet-wheels G, and as these are mounted on the transmitter D and gear with the fixed crown-wheel F the said transmitter will be rotated at a low speed. If, then, the large gear w is coupled to the driving-wheel C, said gear will drive the small planet-wheels GX, whereby the ring-gear w will be rotated faster than the sleeve C', causing the clutch-rollers to roll down the inclined faces of the notches C4, and thereby uncouple said gear w from its sleeve c', allowing it to revolve idly, and as planetwheels G are now in gear with crown-wheel F the casing D will be rotated at the higher speed, the described gearing thus performing the function of reducing any dilerential gearing.

If the cycle is to be driven by foot-power only, the motor is or may be stopped, and if at the time the gear/w is coupled to the drivewheel C it is uncoupled therefrom, causing the auto-driven driving-gear to run idle.

In order that the machine may be propelled by foot-power the transmitter D is provided with additional internal epicyclic gearing, whereby motion may be imparted to it from theinternal spindle E. Furthermore, internal epicyclic gearing within the transmitter D may be arranged, as shown in Fig. 4, for the purpose of providing a diderential gear. Upon the spindle E are secured two planet-carriers K and L, each carrying planetwheels, those M on carrier K being of smaller diameter than the planet-wheels N on carrier L, said wheels M and N being mounted on spindles F and N', respectively, and said planet-wheels M are in gear with the internal gear-teeth F3 of the crown-wheel F, hereinbefore referred to. The planet-wheels M are also in gear with an annular gear or ring loose on a sleeve P, which revolves on ball- IOO A bearings about spindle E and is connected to or formed integral with the transmitter D by means ot a central web or iangeP2. Thus as the planet-wheels M are rotated by the planet-carrier K motion is imparted to the sleeve P and transmitter D, since the crownwheel F is stationary, being xed to the framework A. The planet-wheels N, carried by the planet-carrier L, are in gear with the inner peripheral teeth R of a second crownwheel R, loosely mounted on ball-bearings R2, Working on the spindle E, a clutch S being provided and adapted to engage the recesses R3 in the web of said crown-wheel R, which may thus be locked to the machineframe A against rotation at any time by actuating the clutch S to engage the recesses R3.

Any suitable means connected to or. operated by a hand-lever in reach of the driver may be used i'or operating the clutch. For instance, means, substantially such as shown and described in reference to the clutch-ring S, may be employed, a suitable abutmentdisk 2 being secured to Xed sleeve 3, to which the lower frame-bars A are connected, against which abutment bear springs Ll, acting on the clutch-ring to move it toward the crown-wheel R, and to the outer face of the clutch-ring S wires 5 may be secured and united into a single wire, connected with a lever in reach of the driver, suitable means being provided to lock the lever and hold the clutch-ring against motion under the stress of its springs. I do not desire, however, to limit myself to the construction shown and described, as any other suitable or desired means may be adopted, such means being altogether within the province of the skilled mechanic. With the crown-wheel R held stationary by the clutch S, the planet-wheels N actuate the teeth Pson the sleeve P, which in its turn imparts motion to the casing D by means ofthe central flange P2.

In order that the planet-wheels M may move idly when the planet-wheels N are in gear, the gear P is an annular or ring gear similar to gear w' and is provided with an internal coupling mechanism similar to that described in respect of the driving-sleeve C and said gear w', with the exception that the direction ot' inclination of the inclined faces of the notches Cl are reversed, said notches being formed in a boss p4 on sleeve P, as shown in Fig. 8, C14 indicating the notches, P5 the rollers,and C16theirspringabutment-pins. Thus when the crown-wheel R is engaged by the clutch S the planet-wheels N drive the sleeve Pand transmitterD through said sleeve P and central flange P2, while the greater speed of said sleeve causes the rollers P5 ofthe coupling mechanism which couples the annular gear P' to planet-gears M to move down the inclined faces of the notches, thereby uncoupling sleeve P from said planet-wheels M,which then revolve idly. The coupling appliances for coupling gear w with drive-wheel C and the clutch-couplin g S,which couples the sleeve P with the gear P1', not only serve as a means for driving the transmitter D either by auto or by foot power at different speeds, but also admit of the motor being started automatically by rolling the cycle by hand or driving it by foot-power at the lower speed through the planet-gears M, thereby revolving transmitter D, and therethrough the plan et-wheels G GX, and if large gear w, which gears with pla net-wheel GX, is coupled to drive-Wheel C the latter will also be rotated, and therethrough the driving-wheel C, and through the latter the motor-wheel B', as will be readily understood. These coupling devices also admit of the free rotation of transmitter D in cycling downhill as it is obvious that when the clutch S is disengaged from the crownwheel R and the coupling-sleeve s from gear fw both auto and pedal driven mechanisms are neutralized, said transmitterD being then free to revolve, the gearing working idle, so that the motor need not necessarily be stopped while the spindle E is held stationary by the riders feet. I also provide an internal brake mechanism working in combination with the above-described gear and adapted to be operated by back-pedaling. For this purpose the planet-carrier K is provided with one or more ratchet-teeth K upon its periphery, as shown in Figs. e and 8. These teeth K engage arms T, jointed at T and projecting through a slot in a periphery of the crownwheel F,whichis constructed of suitable shape for the purpose. These arms T carry brakeblocks T2, which engage the inside of the casing D. Thus as pressure is applied in a backward direction by means of back-pe'daling the arms T are forced outward by the teeth K' and the brake-blocks Tzare caused to engage the casing D.

Having thus describedv myinvention, what l claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isl l l. The combination with an autocycle, its motor and the driving mechanism; of supplementary pedal-operated differential driving mechanisms and means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the pedal-operated element, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with an autocycle, its motor, differential driving mechanisms operated thereby and means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the motor; of supplementary pedaloperated dilerential driving mechanisms, and means connecting one or the other of the last-named mechanisms to the pedal-operated element, for the purpose set forth.-

3. The combination with an autocycle, its motor and driving mechanism operated thereby; of supplementary pedal-operated differential driving mechanisms, means connecting one or the other of the last-named mechanisms to the pedal-operated element and means neutralizing the motor-operated mechanism, for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination with an autocycle, its

IOO

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motor, diiferential driving mechanisms operated thereby and means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the motor; of supplementary pedal-operated differential driving mechanisms, means connectingr one or the other of said mechanisms to the pedaloperated element, and means neutralizing the motor-operated driving mechanisms, for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, driving mechanism operated thereby and pedal-operated driving mechanism not in driving connection with the motor-operated driving mechanism; of a power-transmitter common to both driving mechanisms and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, driving mechanism operated thereby, separate pedal-operated differential driving mechanisms and means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the pedal-operated element; of a power-transmitter common to the motor and pedal operated driving mechanisms and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

'7. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, differential driving mechanisms operated thereby, means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the motor, supplementary pedal-operated differential driving mechanisms and means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the pedaloperated element; of a power-transmitter common to the motor and pedal operated dierential driving mechanisms, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purposes set forth.

8. `The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, a driving-Wheel driven by said motor, driving mechanism and means for connecting the latter to and disconnecting it from said driving-Wheel, separate pedaloperated driving mechanism and means for connecting the same to and disconnecting it from the pedal-operated element; of a powertransmitter common to the motor and pedal operated driving mechanisms, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven shaft, for the purposes set forth.

9. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, a driving-Wheel driven thereby, dierential driving mechanisms, means for connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the driving-Wheel, separate pedal-operated driving mechanism and means for connecting it to and disconnecting it from the pedal-operated element; of a power-transmitter common to the motor and pedal operated driving mechanisms, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.v

10. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, a driving-Wheel driven thereby, differential driving mechanisms, meansconnecting one or the other of said mechanisms to said driving-Wheel, pedal-operated diiferential driving mechanisms and means connecting one or the other of the lastnam ed mechanisms to the pedal-operated element; of apoWer-transmitter common to the motor and pedal operated differential driving mechanisms, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, driving mechanism, a driving connection connecting the same to the motor, and separate pedaloperated driving mechanism ofapower-transmitterin the form of a cylindrical casing containing said driving mechanisms, means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the transmitter, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination With an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, dierential driving mechanisms, means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the motor, and separate pedal-operated driving mechanism; of a power-transmitter in the form of a casing containing said driving mechanisms, means connecting either of the differential motor-operated driving mechanisms or the pedal-operated mechanism to the transmitter, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

13. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, driving mechanism, means for connecting the same to and disconnecting it from the motor, pedal-operated differential driving mechanisms, and means connecting one or the other of the last-named mechanisms to the pedal-operated element; of a power-transmitter in the form of a cylindrical casing, containing the aforesaid driving mechanisms, means connecting either the motor-operated driving mechanism or one or the other pedal-operated driving mechanism to the transmitter, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, differential driving mechanisms, means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the motor, differential pedal-operated driving mechanisms, and means connecting one or the other of the last-named mechanisms to the pedal-operated element; of a power-transmitter in the form of a cylindrical casing containing said motor and pedal operated dierential driving mechanisms, means connecting one or the other motor-operated diiferential driving mechan- IOO IIO

ism, or one or the other pedal-operated differential driving mechanism to the transmitter, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

15. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, its motor, pedal-shaft, driving mechanism and means for connecting the same to and disconnecting it from the motor, separate driving mechanism, and means for connecting it to and disconnecting it from the pedal-shaft; of a powertransmitter, means connecting the motor-operated or pedal-operated driving mechanisms to the transmitter, and a driving connection connecting said transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

16. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, motor, pedal-shaft, dierential driving mechanisms, means for connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the motor, separate driving mechanism and means for connecting the same to and disconnecting it from the pedal-shaft; of a power-transmitter, means connecting one or the other motor-operated differential driving mechanism or the pedal-operated driving mechanism to said transmitter, and a driving connection connecting lthe transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

17. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, motor, pedal-shaft, differential driving mechanisms, means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the motor, separate dierential driving mechanisms, and means connecting one or the other of the lastnamed mechanisms to the pedal-shaft; of a power-transmitter, means connecting one or the other motor-operated or one or the other pedal-operated differential driving mechanisms to said transmitter, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

18. The combination With an autocycle, its driven axle,l motor and pedal-shaft; of driving mechanism, means for connecting thesame to and disconnecting it from the motor, separate driving mechanism, means connecting same to and disconnecting it from the pedal-shaft, a power-transmitter, means connecting the motor or the pedal operated driving mechanism to said transmitter, the latter and aforesaid mechanisms carried by said pedal-shaft, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

19. The combination with an autocycle, its driven axle, motor, and pedal-shaft; of differential driving mechanisms, means connecting one or the other to the motor, separate driving mechanism, means for connecting it to and disconnecting it from the pedal-shaft, a power-transmitter, means connecting one or the other motor-operated differential driving mechanism or the pedal-operated driving mechanism to said transmitter, the latter and aforementioned driving mechanisms carried by the pedal-shaft, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

20. The combination with an autocycle, its driving-axle, motor, and pedal-shaft; of differential driving mechanisms, means connecting one or the other of said mechanisms to the motor, separate differential driving mechanisms, means connecting one or the other of the last-named mechanisms to the pedal-shaft, a power-transmitter, means connecting one or the other motor-operated or one or the other pedal-operated driving mechanisms to the transmitter, the latter and aforementioned differential driving mechanisms carried by said pedal-shaft, and a driving connection connecting the transmitter to the aforesaid driven axle, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention l have signed my name in pres- Witnessesz HENRY ORTH, PHILIP F. LARNER. 

